Design Hive: Gwen Morgan and Stephen Parker on researching sensory room design
August 19, 2025
Design researchers developed a pop-up prototype of a multi-sensory space to research sensory environments
On this Design Hive episode, behavioral health planner and mental health design subject matter expert Stephen Parker joins discipline leader for interior design Gwen Morgan to discuss sensory-enabled architecture (SEA), sensory room design, and their team¡¯s pop-up research prototype, the ZenDen.
In SEA, Stephen, Gwen, and their team design for human touch, scent, sound, and taste in immersive environments. Designers can use sensory design to promote mental health and well-being in a variety of settings including schools and hospitals. Design researchers developed a pop-up prototype of a multi-sensory space called the ZenDen to research SEA environments. And they are increasingly called upon to design restorative sensory rooms for a variety of building types.
In this episode, you¡¯ll learn about:
- Sensory Enabled Architecture (SEA) design research
- What inspired our research into sensory environments
- ZenDen, the pop-up prototype sensory space
- Research collaboration with UNC Greensboro
What led Stephen and Gwen to sensory environments - Building types that are incorporating sensory room design
